By Alan Healy
Work is set to begin on the installation of net roofing at a playing pitch in the city which was closed five months ago due to health and safety fears, it has emerged.
The 3G pitch at the Brooke Park Leisure Centre was closed by its owners, Derry City and Strabane District Council on Thursday, June 22, following what a council spokesperson said were concerns about ‘health and safety’.
The Derry News understands that the health and safety concerns are related not to the pitch itself, but the ongoing damage being caused to a nearby family home by balls escaping from the facility.
The Derry News revealed earlier this year that council had agreed to pay for the damage caused to Eddie McLaughlin’s home in Fairman Place, which is located next to the pitch.
Following its closure in the summer, council said that a said a tender process was being initiated with a view to resolving the issue by the autumn.
Council has now said that work will begin on installing the new net roofing this Monday, December 4, and - dependent on the weather – is expected to be complete before Christmas.
However, the council did not say when the facility would be reopening following completion of the work.
“A solution of installing a net roofing on the MUGA facility at Brooke Park has been found to address the Health and Safety issues that led to the pitch being closed in the summer,” a council spokesperson said.
“A contractor has been appointed to carry out the installation and work will begin on the week commencing Monday, December 4.”
The spokesperson added: “The timescale for the work is dependent on weather conditions but it is expected that it can be completed before the Christmas break.”
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